Introduction

Welcome to Triometrics. The "tri" prefix is for 3 levels of intensity. This workout smokes your lower half by using 60 second intervals, varying amongst three levels of intensity in 20 second intervals.

Pros

Like all of the P90X3 routines, this one does not waste any time. The design and layout of the workout moves quick quickly from exercise to exercise. You get a lot accomplished in the 30 minutes!

I really enjoyed the variety of exercises. There are some great exercises here that target some weak or trouble spots for a lot of people. Some of these exercises are also quite tricky because they force you to be more balanced and coordinated.

For those of you familiar with the P90X+ series, this routine loosely reminded me of Interval X+ with the three levels of intensity. This is great for people who are new to plyometrics, or still have to build leg strength, because these exercises are so easily modifiable.

Since you start at 'level 1' and progress to levels 2 and 3 every 20 seconds, if you are not physically capable of attempting level 3, then you can stay at level 2 for the remainder of the 60 seconds, or even remain at level 1 for the duration!

Cons

Although the name implies that this is a plyometric workout, I actually found the number of true plyometric exercises to be lacking here. The very nature of plyometrics is to create a fast, explosive, concentric contraction in a muscle to generate maximum force. Plyometrics from P90X also wasn't much of a plyometric workout, however Plyocide from P90X2 and Agility X from P90X3 both have some great, true, plyometric sequences.

This is a rather minor argument from my standpoint, however, as this is a pretty awesome lower body routine.

Difficulty

Definitely a difficult routine that will have your legs burning. It is hard for me to compare this to the original Plyometrics, however, since I have been active for the past few years, and came into this routine in relatively good overall shape.

I remember back to my first few times doing the original Plyometrics, whoa baby was I ever sore! I am sure many folks out there will experience the same thing with this routine the first few times doing this one.

When comparing to other "cardio" type routines in X3, the only routine I could really compare this to would be Agility X since both are mainly lower-body cardio workouts. I think they are pretty similar, difficulty-wise, although quite different and difficult in their own areas. Agility X moves at such a quick pace and is all about speed and agility (with some great plyo sequences), yet Triometrics is more about lower body strength and stability.

Difficulty: 4.5/5

Workout Design

After your standard short P90X3 workout (Cold Start is still an option), you jump right into the workout (see what I did there?).

Every exercise is 60 seconds long, broken up into 3, 20-second intervals, increasing in either intensity or range of motion (or both), from lowest to highest.

There are 14 different exercises (no repeats) and then a Burnout round at the end. Although there are 14 exercises, 4 of them are actually split into "right leg" and then "left leg" (60 seconds for both legs) so you are actually doing 18 total sets and then a quick 30 second Burnout.

There is a great variety of exercises here, lots of balance and coordination-type exercises, and lots of work targeting a trouble area for a lot of people - the gluteus medius.

One thing I found somewhat surprising with this routine, and I mentioned it earlier in the "cons" section, was the naming of this routine. "Triometrics" insinuates plyometric exercises. Although some of these exercises have some plyometric-type work, most do not. Keep in mind that simply adding a little jump to an exercise does not make it "plyometric."

Despite all of that, this is a great workout that will have your leg muscles burning and your heart rate soaring pretty high. It is nice having intervals of time for each exercise, as the lower-intensity intervals allow a bit of active recovery time so that you can maximize your potential in the higher intensity intervals.

Workout Design: 4.5/5

Advice

The more I have studied and completed this routine, the more I believe that this would be much better suited in Phase 1 of the P90X3 Classic schedule, in place of Agility X, and have Agility X in place of Triometrics instead.

Triometrics' strength lies in the fact that you are increasing you balance and leg strength, with some plyometric exercise as a by-product. In my opinion, Agility X is a superior workout for not only plyometric exercise, but it is a more dynamic athletic workout as well as a better overall cardio routine, than Triometrics.

Not only that, but something I discussed in the "pros" section above is that this routine is much more modifiable for people who are just starting out. Some people may become discouraged or frustrated with Agility X because it moves so quickly, and at times it can be hard to understand what modifications can be done. With this routine, there aren't any agility sequences, it is all about leg strength, and individuals can work to their level of fitness that is comfortable for them, by staying at either level 1 or 2 in each set exercise's interval progression.

In future hybrids, I would lean more towards using Triometrics as a "prep" phase in order to prepare myself for the rigours of a routine like Agility X. That is, at least, my opinion and thinking.

Overall

Great leg strengthening routine. Burns your leg muscles nicely, gets the sweat flowing, and the heart rate soaring. All in just 30 minutes!